Hello '09

What is there to say about 2008? I don't really want to go into too much detail in this post about the ups and downs of the year for me, but what I can definitely say about '08 is that this year was an eye-opener. I think I've learned the most this year, academically, about others, and about myself. But for kicks, the stuff I can think off the top of my head (in no particular order):

The Good
I voted! Obama! Olympics opening ceremony and Michael Phelps. Everyone else turning 21 and doing 21+ grown-up thangs. Good grades. Las Vegas x2. Being more independent. Falling deeper in love. Reconnecting with old friends. Seeing Q-Tip, The Cool Kids, Pacific Division, Usher. 198 & co. adventures. Amazing year for movies in general. Turning 22. Asserting my convictions.

The Bad
Economy. Tons of notable & celebrity deaths. Prop 8. Losing my religion (ironically I'm still thinking this could be a blessing in disguise). Political/election drama. Working everyday of summer. And still ending up semi-broke by winter. Mediocre year for music, in my opinion.

2008 looked liked a great year for me by just comparing the highs and the lows, but I like to think that I had a bigger role than mere chance in the outcome. Besides, it takes the same amount energy to smile and count your blessings as it does to frown and dwell on your misfortunes, so why not just look on the bright side?

I'm not going to make any New Year's resolutions except for taking better care of myself. As long as it nourishes my body, mind, or heart, anything goes. On paper, it sounds rather narcissistic but I feel like by working on myself first, everything else should fall into place - I can take better care of others if I take better care of myself.

Work out. Don't eat too much junk. Read more. Keep an open mind. Forgive and accept more easily. Nurture the relationships you have. Learn to love more.

As for not having other real resolutions, I've noticed that probably only 1/10 of your initial resolutions still have importance by the end of the year. As I get older, I realize more and more what things are most important, and which others can play second fiddle to the real priorities. Although I don't know what 2009 has in store for me, I'm willing to put all my faith in God and the little idea I've been clinging to this year called balance - neither has failed me yet.

So long, '07

Unless I feel compelled to celebrate New Year's Eve with drink in hand and laptop in the other, this will be my last post of 2007. Granted, I only started this blog about a month ago, but a New Year for me usually constitutes a new (and hopefully better) outlook on things, which will probably translate in my posts from now on. But before looking forward, I'm going to look back first.

I finally got a chance to spend some much needed quality time with Sybil today. It's pretty nice to have someone that I've known for so long still be there for me when needed. Anyways, we got into our usual talk about how things were in high school, who we've come across lately, the usual biz. Something that we both agreed on is how it seems like kids seem to be aging faster and faster nowadays. We're basing this on appearance and how one carries him/herself as the criteria; maturity and the like are fodder for an entirely different argument... I mean I get taken aback sometimes at how some sophomores in high school look so much older than me. And I don't just mean ME me, but say class of '05ers collectively. From the clothes to the shoes, plus make-up and hair, it's a little ridiculous to strive to look like you came straight off a magazine ad - especially when it's going to first period English or what have you. Maybe it's because teens are following trends more closely now? Or it's just a normal changing of the times? I don't know. But what I realized when we were looking back at pictures from our days at Mt. Carmel is that I'm glad that I looked like I did back then haha. If I come off superficial I'm not trying to say I was hot shit back then because I obviously wasn't (see 2 posts back for conclusive evidence). What I am trying to say is that I'm glad that I didn't realize my full potential in high school because that leaves room for improvement. I'd rather find myself more and develop in college than look in the mirror and think "Wow I haven't changed since high school". Although I'm focusing a lot of this on outer appearances, a lot of it really has to do with a sense of self, which (I think) correlates with your style and how you carry yourself. I know this came off as a little random, it's just been on my mind for a while. I don't even know if my rambling made any sense, but even if a couple of you get what I'm trying to say, then I've succeeded!

As for more recent times, 2007 has definitely been a year of highs and lows in almost all facets of my life. I'll spare you the details and just say that I've learned tons about myself this year, as well as about people I know and people in general. I just gotta keep on learning and keep a smile going into the next year, and everything will fall into place. My resolutions aren't that specific, but it's really to just take everything that I've learned up to now and to put it to good use and apply it to 2008 - this covers school, family matters, relationships, my strengths & weaknesses, even getting fit! I had to put that in, that's an obligatory resolution for me... I don't mind as much if I make mistakes every now and then as long as I walk away learning something from it. I'd also like to see myself more committed to this blog than my previous ones - it's funny to see what kind of mindset (or mindfcuk) I'm in throughout certain phases of my life.

When it comes to resolutions in general, I hate it when people say they only have one resolution, to "not have any resolutions". Hello, that totally defeats your purpose of being devoid of resolutions. Just say you don't have any then! Hah.

Thank you to my family for another year of love and support. I know I can be stubborn sometimes, but I really take to heart what you guys say, and I appreciate everything you've done for me. And Jay since you're the only one who will actually be reading this, shoutout to you! Thanks for listening anytime, and you know you can tell me anything. Thanks Raf for another year, what can I say except you're the best! You're my BFF forreal :] Thank you SD & Irvine friends & 198 for the good times in 2007, because there was NO SHORTAGE of those whatsoever haha. More to come in 2008, best believe I'm going to take advantage of being 21 until December 23 of this coming year. Because honestly, what's the next big milestone to look forward to? Turning 30? No thanks.